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Boreus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Winter scorpionflies
B. westwoodi female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mecoptera
Family: Boreidae
Genus: Boreus
Latreille, 1816

Boreus is the most diverse of three genera of insects in the family Boreidae. They are commonly known as winter scorpionflies due to their close relation to the true scorpionflies and preference for cold habitats.

Description and distribution

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Species of Boreus are dark in color, 3 to 5 mm long, and have reduced, non-functional wings. In males, the wings resemble straps, while in females they are short stubs. Females also have a pointed ovipositor. Both sexes have an elongated head, or rostrum. Larvae are grublike, mostly hairless and lacking prolegs.

They have a holarctic distribution and are found in boreal and high altitude habitats.[1]

Biology

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B. hyemalis male

Boreus species are highly adapted to cold environments and often found on the surface of snow. Although they cannot fly, they have the ability to hop or jump. All species are known to feed on mosses, both as adults and larvae. Males use their hardened wing straps to grasp the female and lift her above their back during mating.[2]

Species

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These 27 species belong to the genus Boreus:

Data sources: i = ITIS,[3] c = Catalogue of Life,[4] g = GBIF,[5] b = Bugguide.net[6]

References

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  1. ^ Hågvar, Sigmund. "A review of Fennoscandian arthropods living on and in snow." European Journal of Entomology 107.3 (2010).
  2. ^ "Vol 48, No 1 - Scorpionflies, Hangingflies, and other Mecoptera - The Kansas School Naturalist". www.emporia.edu. Emporia State University. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  3. ^ "Boreus Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  4. ^ "Browse Boreus". Catalogue of Life. Archived from the original on March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  5. ^ "Boreus". GBIF. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  6. ^ "Boreus Genus Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
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